Auricular Acupuncture For The Treatment Of Non-Epileptic Seizures

NCT ID: NCT01919307

Last Updated: 2018-02-05

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 29 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2012-05-31
• Study Completion Date: 2016-01-31

Brief Summary

This feasibility study will determine the tolerability of auricular acupuncture, compliance with self-reported seizure tracking, and the quality of a proposed sham acupuncture protocol to inform the design of a large, multi-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to demonstrate the therapeutic effect of auricular acupuncture for the treatment of Non-Epileptic Seizures.

Detailed Description

Formerly referred to as "psychogenic" or "pseudo" seizures, Non-Epileptic Seizures (NES) are a physical manifestation of a psychological disturbance and are a type of Somatoform Disorder called a conversion disorder. NES are a significant neurological condition occurring with a prevalence of 2 to 33 per 100,000, similar to that of Multiple Sclerosis. Patients suffering from this phenomenon exhibit seizure-like behavior without electrophysiological correlate, and as would be expected, anti-epileptic drugs (AED) are not effective in treating this disorder. These patients are large consumers of health care resources, are frequently unemployed, require public assistance safety-net programs, and are difficult to properly diagnose without the aid of Epilepsy Monitoring Units (EMU). Furthermore, even after proper diagnosis in an EMU, there is no consensus standard of care therapy for this form of conversion disorder. Most frequently patients are referred for mental health therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) which is frequently not pursued by the patient due to poor access, poor insight, or stigma.

In a survey of our refractory epilepsy clinic, 68% of respondents are using some form of CAM or Complementary and Alternative Medicine, compared with 39% in a Midwestern population. CAM may offer a solution to access and interest-in-therapy in a population of patients experiencing a high frequency of debilitating events, including NES.

As a complementary and alternative medicine, acupuncture is felt to be a safe and cost-effective therapeutic approach to the treatment of many diseases and symptoms. While the effect of acupuncture for the treatment of epilepsy has been equivocal, studies in the setting of mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety have been promising. Auricular acupuncture has been specifically studied in cocaine dependence, smoking cessation, dental anxiety, and PTSD.

Our interest in acupuncture and NES results from studies that show evidence that acupuncture may improve other conversion disorders presenting as psychogenic movement disorders, or psychogenic erectile dysfunction (16). There also appears to be measurable changes in parasympathetic and sympathetic balance attributable to acupoint stimulation, that may explain anecdotal reports of stress and seizure reduction from acupuncture. It should also be noted that the Vagus Nerve Stimulator, an implantable device that controls medically refractory epileptic seizures, and presumably modulates parasympathetic tone, was first approved as adjunctive therapy in pharmacologically resistant epilepsy by the FDA in 1997 and was later approved for treatment-resistent depression in 2005.

Based on this literature we are conducting an un-blinded treatment trial to establish if auricular acupuncture can effect seizure frequency in NES, and to help design a large double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the efficacy of auricular acupuncture as a treatment for NES. In addition to potentially uncovering an effective treatment for NES, this research will add to our empiric knowledge of acupuncture in conversion disorders such as NES and stimulate further research in acupuncture and NES, both understudied areas.

Conditions

Convulsion, Non-Epileptic

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Auricular acupuncture

Subjects will then receive auricular acupuncture (NADA Protocol) twice weekly for eight consecutive weeks. Subjects will be evaluated for seizure frequency changes by self-reported diary; adverse events; study feasibility; and mental and physiological symptoms at baseline, 12 weeks (completion of acupuncture), and 16 weeks (1 month after treatment follow up, end of study). A single sham procedure will be tested following treatment completion for use in future studies.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Auricular acupuncture

Intervention Type: OTHER

The NADA Protocol for auricular acupuncture will be performed by the PI, a certified NADA protocol practitioner, using sterile, single-use, Seiren 0.22mm, one cm disposable detox needles. Both ears will be sterilized with alcohol swabs. There will be no electrical or other stimulation performed. Needles will be placed subcutaneously with one half twirl upon insertion to the following 5 points (in order per ear): Sympathetic, Shen Men, Kidney, Liver, Lung. Needles will remain in place for 40 minutes and will then be removed in the same order as they were inserted. Needles that become dislodged will be replaced per typical NADA protocol.

Interventions

Auricular acupuncture

The NADA Protocol for auricular acupuncture will be performed by the PI, a certified NADA protocol practitioner, using sterile, single-use, Seiren 0.22mm, one cm disposable detox needles. Both ears will be sterilized with alcohol swabs. There will be no electrical or other stimulation performed. Needles will be placed subcutaneously with one half twirl upon insertion to the following 5 points (in order per ear): Sympathetic, Shen Men, Kidney, Liver, Lung. Needles will remain in place for 40 minutes and will then be removed in the same order as they were inserted. Needles that become dislodged will be replaced per typical NADA protocol.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosis of non-epileptic seizures, confirmed by ictal routine EEG or ictal video EEG

2. Age 18-75

3. Ability to provide informed consent and comply with study activities

4. > 2 NES per month

Exclusion Criteria

1. Serious mental health disorder or medical or neurological illness (requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization) until subject either completes therapy or is clinically stable on therapy, in the opinion of the site investigator, for at least 30 days prior to study entry.

2. Pregnancy, self-discovered pregnancy, lactation, or plans to become pregnant.

3. Inability to distinguish between NES and comorbid epileptic seizures.

4. Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements.

5. Inability or unwillingness of subject or legal guardian/representative to give written informed con-sent.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Denver Health and Hospital Authority

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Edward Maa

Chief of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Edward Maa, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Denver Health

Locations

Denver Health Medical Center

Denver, Colorado, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

12-0313

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id